







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Okay, how long is it, do you know? | |
| I don't think you really want me to stay here anymore! | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | |
| Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom. | |
| I don't know really, what's yours? | |
| No, what is that? | |
| How old do I look? | |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | |
| Do you mean Rebecca and Cecilia? | |
| Is that a crack in the bath? | |
| Did you say Russia? That's unusual! | |
| Um, on this floor, it's only me and a French girl next door. | |
| Hang on a minute, they are both 300 gr and the same brand. | |
| His name's Sergio. | |
| Nope, as I said before, they live in Australia. | |
| Oh god, I feel too tired now. | |